Objective:To investigate the effect of Huanshaodan on improving learning and memory impairment in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease (AD) which was named with senescence accelerated mouse-prone 8(SAMP8), as well as the neuroinflammatory response mechanisms mediated by the p38 mitogen activated protein kinase (p38MAPK) and extracellular signal regulated protein kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) signaling pathways.Methods:Seven-month-old SPF grade male SAMP8 mice were randomly assigned into three groups(6 mice in each group) using a random number table: model group, low-dose Huanshaodan group(1.17g/kg, twice daily via gavage), and high-dose Huanshaodan group(2.34g/kg, twice daily via gavage).Weight-matched seven-month-old male mice with anti-rapid aging traits(senescence-accelerated mouse-resistant 1, SAMR1)were designated as the normal control group( n=6).The mice in control group and the model group received 0.9% NaCl via gavage twice daily.All mice underwent continuous interventions for 28 days.The learning and memory abilities were assessed by Morris water maze.Immunofluorescence staining was used to detect the expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein(GFAP) and ionized calcium-binding adaptor molecule-1(Iba1) as markers for astrocytes and microglial cells in the hippocampus, respectively.ELISA was used to measure pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin-6(IL-6), interleukin-1β(IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) in hippocampal tissue.Western blot was used for analyzing the expression levels of pro-inflammatory enzymes, inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2(COX-2), as well as phosphorylated levels of ERK1/2 and p38MAPK in hippocampal tissue.Data were statistically analyzed using SPSS 20.0.The repeated measures analysis of variance or one-way analysis of variance was used for multi groups comparison. Results:Morris water maze test results indicated interactions between time and group in the escape latencies of the four groups of mice( F=3.787, P<0.05).From the 5th to 6th day, the escape latencies of the low- and high-dose Huanshaodan groups were lower than those of the model group(both P<0.05).On the 4th to 6th day, the escape latencies of the high-dose Huanshaodan group were lower than those of the low-dose group(all P<0.05).Significant differences were observed in the residence time in the target quadrant and the number of crossing the platform among the four groups of mice( F=8.587, 12.633, both P<0.05).The residence time in the target quadrant of the model group((17.8±3.4)s) and the number of crossing the platform((1.6±0.6)times)were less than those of the control group((40.6±3.7)s, (4.6±0.6)times) and high-dose Huanshaodan group(31.8±4.0)s, (2.8±0.8)times), all P<0.05).Western blot results indicated significant differences in the expression of iNOS, COX-2, p-p38MAPK/p38MAPK, and p-ERK1/2/ERK1/2 in the hippocampal tissues of the four groups of mice( F=207.516, 10.627, 108.497, 34.330, all P<0.05) and the indexes in model group were all higher than those of control group and high-dose Huanshaodan group(all P<0.05).ELISA results revealed significant differences in the levels of IL-6, TNF-α and IL-1β in the serum of the four groups of mice( F=66.790, 82.424, 42.919, all P<0.05), and the indexes of model group were higher than those of the other three groups(all P<0.05).Immunofluorescence results showed significant differences in the relative fluorescence intensity of GFAP and Iba1 in the hippocampal tissues of the four groups of mice( F=20.269, 56.437, both P<0.05).The relative fluorescence intensity values of GFAP and Iba1 in the hippocampal tissues of the high-dose Huanshaodan group were lower than those of the model group(both P<0.05), while the expression level of Iba1 in high-dose group was lower than that in the low-dose group( P<0.05). Conclusion:High-dose Haunshaodan may inhibit the activation of hippocampal glial cells by blocking the p38MAPK and ERK1/2 pathways, reducing neuroinflammation, then improving learning and memory disorders in SAMP8 mice.

Objective:To investigate the effect of Huanshaodan on improving learning and memory impairment in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease (AD) which was named with senescence accelerated mouse-prone 8(SAMP8), as well as the neuroinflammatory response mechanisms mediated by the p38 mitogen activated protein kinase (p38MAPK) and extracellular signal regulated protein kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) signaling pathways.Methods:Seven-month-old SPF grade male SAMP8 mice were randomly assigned into three groups(6 mice in each group) using a random number table: model group, low-dose Huanshaodan group(1.17g/kg, twice daily via gavage), and high-dose Huanshaodan group(2.34g/kg, twice daily via gavage).Weight-matched seven-month-old male mice with anti-rapid aging traits(senescence-accelerated mouse-resistant 1, SAMR1)were designated as the normal control group( n=6).The mice in control group and the model group received 0.9% NaCl via gavage twice daily.All mice underwent continuous interventions for 28 days.The learning and memory abilities were assessed by Morris water maze.Immunofluorescence staining was used to detect the expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein(GFAP) and ionized calcium-binding adaptor molecule-1(Iba1) as markers for astrocytes and microglial cells in the hippocampus, respectively.ELISA was used to measure pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin-6(IL-6), interleukin-1β(IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) in hippocampal tissue.Western blot was used for analyzing the expression levels of pro-inflammatory enzymes, inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2(COX-2), as well as phosphorylated levels of ERK1/2 and p38MAPK in hippocampal tissue.Data were statistically analyzed using SPSS 20.0.The repeated measures analysis of variance or one-way analysis of variance was used for multi groups comparison. Results:Morris water maze test results indicated interactions between time and group in the escape latencies of the four groups of mice( F=3.787, P<0.05).From the 5th to 6th day, the escape latencies of the low- and high-dose Huanshaodan groups were lower than those of the model group(both P<0.05).On the 4th to 6th day, the escape latencies of the high-dose Huanshaodan group were lower than those of the low-dose group(all P<0.05).Significant differences were observed in the residence time in the target quadrant and the number of crossing the platform among the four groups of mice( F=8.587, 12.633, both P<0.05).The residence time in the target quadrant of the model group((17.8±3.4)s) and the number of crossing the platform((1.6±0.6)times)were less than those of the control group((40.6±3.7)s, (4.6±0.6)times) and high-dose Huanshaodan group(31.8±4.0)s, (2.8±0.8)times), all P<0.05).Western blot results indicated significant differences in the expression of iNOS, COX-2, p-p38MAPK/p38MAPK, and p-ERK1/2/ERK1/2 in the hippocampal tissues of the four groups of mice( F=207.516, 10.627, 108.497, 34.330, all P<0.05) and the indexes in model group were all higher than those of control group and high-dose Huanshaodan group(all P<0.05).ELISA results revealed significant differences in the levels of IL-6, TNF-α and IL-1β in the serum of the four groups of mice( F=66.790, 82.424, 42.919, all P<0.05), and the indexes of model group were higher than those of the other three groups(all P<0.05).Immunofluorescence results showed significant differences in the relative fluorescence intensity of GFAP and Iba1 in the hippocampal tissues of the four groups of mice( F=20.269, 56.437, both P<0.05).The relative fluorescence intensity values of GFAP and Iba1 in the hippocampal tissues of the high-dose Huanshaodan group were lower than those of the model group(both P<0.05), while the expression level of Iba1 in high-dose group was lower than that in the low-dose group( P<0.05). Conclusion:High-dose Haunshaodan may inhibit the activation of hippocampal glial cells by blocking the p38MAPK and ERK1/2 pathways, reducing neuroinflammation, then improving learning and memory disorders in SAMP8 mice.

Objective To study the effect of Liuwei Dihuangwan on autophagy level and its mechanism in SAMP8 mice and Aβ-stimulated BV2 cell model,and to explore the molecular mechanism of tonifying the kidney and filling up the essence to prevent and control Alzheimer's disease(AD)through interfering with autophagy.Methods Ten 7-month-old male anti-aging mice(SAMR1)were taken as the normal group,and 40 7-month-old male rapid aging mice(SAMP8)were randomly control and model groups,equal volumes of saline were administered by gavage twice a day for 4 weeks,and the levels of Aβ expression in the hippocampus of the mice in each group were detected by immunofluorescence;The expression levels of FcγRⅡB,c-Src and SHP-1 in the hippocampus of each group were detected by Western blot;BV2 cells were cultured and Fcγ receptor Ⅱ-b(FcγRⅡB)overexpression vectors were constructed;the AD state cell model was established by treating the BV2 cells with 5 μmol·L-1 Aβ1-42,and the Liuwei Dihuangwan drug-containing serum was prepared.The cells were divided into NC group,Aβ1-42 group,blank serum group,drug-containing serum group,Vector group,FcγRⅡB OE group,and drug-containing serum+FcγRⅡB OE group;immunofluorescence was used to detect the expression level of Aβ protein in the cells of each group;Western blot was used to detect the expression level of p62,LC3 Ⅱ/Ⅰ,FcγRⅡB,SHP-1,and c-Src in cells of each group.Results Compared with the normal group,the hippocampal Aβ,FcγRⅡB,SHP-1,and c-Src expression levels in the model group of mice were significantly higher(P<0.01),and compared with the model group,the expression levels of Aβ,FcγRⅡB,SHP-1,and c-Src in the low-,medium-,and high-dose groups of Liuwei Dihuangwan were significantly lower(P<0.01),it also showed a significant dose dependent relationship.Compared with NC group,the protein expressions of Aβ,p62,FcγRⅡB,SHP-1 and c-Src in Aβ1-42 group were significantly increased(P<0.01),and LC3Ⅱ/Ⅰ was significantly decreased(P<0.01);Compared with Aβ1-42 group and blank serum group,the protein expressions of Aβ,p62,FcγRⅡB,SHP-1 and c-Src in drug-containing serum group were significantly decreased(P<0.01),and LC3Ⅱ/Ⅰ was significantly increased(P<0.01);Compared with NC group and Vector group,the expression of Aβ in FcγRⅡB OE group was increased,the protein expressions of p62,FcγRⅡB,SHP-1 and c-Src were significantly increased(P<0.01),and LC3Ⅱ/Ⅰ was significantly decreased(P<0.01);Compared with the drug-containing serum group,the protein expressions of Aβ,p62,FcγRⅡB,SHP-1 and c-Src in the drug-containing serum+FcγRⅡB OE group were significantly increased(P<0.01),and the protein expression levels of LC3Ⅱ/Ⅰ were significantly decreased(P<0.01).Conclusion Liuwei Dihuangwan improved AD by inhibiting microglia FcγRⅡB/c-Src pathway and increasing autophagy level.

Objective To study the effect of Liuwei Dihuangwan on autophagy level and its mechanism in SAMP8 mice and Aβ-stimulated BV2 cell model,and to explore the molecular mechanism of tonifying the kidney and filling up the essence to prevent and control Alzheimer's disease(AD)through interfering with autophagy.Methods Ten 7-month-old male anti-aging mice(SAMR1)were taken as the normal group,and 40 7-month-old male rapid aging mice(SAMP8)were randomly control and model groups,equal volumes of saline were administered by gavage twice a day for 4 weeks,and the levels of Aβ expression in the hippocampus of the mice in each group were detected by immunofluorescence;The expression levels of FcγRⅡB,c-Src and SHP-1 in the hippocampus of each group were detected by Western blot;BV2 cells were cultured and Fcγ receptor Ⅱ-b(FcγRⅡB)overexpression vectors were constructed;the AD state cell model was established by treating the BV2 cells with 5 μmol·L-1 Aβ1-42,and the Liuwei Dihuangwan drug-containing serum was prepared.The cells were divided into NC group,Aβ1-42 group,blank serum group,drug-containing serum group,Vector group,FcγRⅡB OE group,and drug-containing serum+FcγRⅡB OE group;immunofluorescence was used to detect the expression level of Aβ protein in the cells of each group;Western blot was used to detect the expression level of p62,LC3 Ⅱ/Ⅰ,FcγRⅡB,SHP-1,and c-Src in cells of each group.Results Compared with the normal group,the hippocampal Aβ,FcγRⅡB,SHP-1,and c-Src expression levels in the model group of mice were significantly higher(P<0.01),and compared with the model group,the expression levels of Aβ,FcγRⅡB,SHP-1,and c-Src in the low-,medium-,and high-dose groups of Liuwei Dihuangwan were significantly lower(P<0.01),it also showed a significant dose dependent relationship.Compared with NC group,the protein expressions of Aβ,p62,FcγRⅡB,SHP-1 and c-Src in Aβ1-42 group were significantly increased(P<0.01),and LC3Ⅱ/Ⅰ was significantly decreased(P<0.01);Compared with Aβ1-42 group and blank serum group,the protein expressions of Aβ,p62,FcγRⅡB,SHP-1 and c-Src in drug-containing serum group were significantly decreased(P<0.01),and LC3Ⅱ/Ⅰ was significantly increased(P<0.01);Compared with NC group and Vector group,the expression of Aβ in FcγRⅡB OE group was increased,the protein expressions of p62,FcγRⅡB,SHP-1 and c-Src were significantly increased(P<0.01),and LC3Ⅱ/Ⅰ was significantly decreased(P<0.01);Compared with the drug-containing serum group,the protein expressions of Aβ,p62,FcγRⅡB,SHP-1 and c-Src in the drug-containing serum+FcγRⅡB OE group were significantly increased(P<0.01),and the protein expression levels of LC3Ⅱ/Ⅰ were significantly decreased(P<0.01).Conclusion Liuwei Dihuangwan improved AD by inhibiting microglia FcγRⅡB/c-Src pathway and increasing autophagy level.